A resident of Anegada taking his point over to Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool during a recent visit to the sister island. Photo: VINO

THE SETTLEMENT, Anegada, VI- “What about the needs of our people, we don’t want no golf course, give us a multi-purpose recreational facility that would benefit us and the tourists when they come,” said a resident of Anegada who preferred to be identified as “Ras”.

The resident shared his thoughts in a recent exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online while on the island. He opined that the governments of the Virgin Islands focus on tourists more than they do to their own people. “It is not only this NDP government all the others of the past did the same and its time they stop this nonsense because without us locals this place is nothing,” said Ras.

Giving a graphic explanation to support his statement, Ras said a proposal for a multi-purpose recreational facility was submitted to Government years ago but was left on as shelf somewhere to gather dust. “What was submitted to the Government, It was [Hon. Ralph T.] O’Neal who was premier at the time, was a perfect and workable proposal. Even if they hadn’t enough time to look at it this government should rather than tell us about bringing golf course here.”

According to Ras, the proposal catered for a multi-purpose facility which would include a horse race track on the border, a multipurpose tennis court, soccer field and soft ball field. He said that the vision for the facility was for it to be self sufficient with funds raised being used to maintain it.

“This is what will happen, we’ll have tourist coming to patronise, the locals will definitely support because right now they have absolutely nothing, not even a play ground and everybody glad for some place to go here. Our children have nothing to do here but go to school, walk from one end of the street to another, or stay home on those electronic devices.” He further added that periodically the play facilities of Coney Island could be brought to the island.

Ras contended that children on the sister island have never been exposed to any form of sports activities unlike those on other sister islands. “You got children on Tortola going off to the [United] States to run tracks, they playing basketball…They doing all these things for their kids but they not doing anything for our kids,” He added, “But you want to bring some outside entity that does not involve our families, that does not involve us to come and make money off of us and tell us about that going to be good practice for us, what good practice you talking about?”

He further contended that facilities that would be of benefit to residents should be foremost of interest to Government as their priority should be on making locals first, comfortable, and money generated would stay in the Virgin Islands rather than be outsourced. “So when they going come to us with some …proposal for some golf course, how is it going to make money for Anegada? What about our children? How are they going to take part in a sport? We can take part in sport and make money for ourselves at the same time,” said Ras.

At the time of discussing the issue, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool and a team of Government officials were in Anegada and Virgin Islands News Online put forward the concern to the Minister. “I don’t know if its opposed to a golf course but I know he is right in any community you have to provide recreation and the more organised it is it is better for citizens and so I’ll be chatting with the Minister for Education and Culture. I know he has some ideas for the sister islands, he working on recreational facilities at Virgin Gorda and I know Anegada will be one of his key areas he would want to look at,” Hon Vanterpool replied.

The Minister also noted that he did spend some time looking at the recreational ground during his tour of the island and subsequently speaking to Ras. “He said that he [Ras] had put forward some ideas in the past, obviously if someone get some ideas we would want to review them so I am sure the Minister of Education and Culture will want to take a close look at that because it’s a community, though its small, it has the same needs as any other community, so as a government it is our responsibility to provide those needs.”

28 Responses to “We don’t want a golf course- Anegada resident”

straight reasoning. What a shame not a single recreational facility for the youths of Anegada beh government want dem be selling drugs and having sex making babies from early because the got the energy n time. give the ppl deh thing. When tourist r on vocation the r looking for experience they dont have in their country n golf course all over, its not a caribbean sport so put caribbean flavor in the caribbean. deh aint gon plant coconut trees in New York

You need to look at the surroundings...hiw much people living in anegada will benefit from the multi-purpose recreational facility....this man want a race track (he have horses in tole n dont even care if the getting feed)...when da race track was done in tortola there was feasibilty studies done before they could evwn cum to tola....this man need to be a lil more realistic and need to hav a pratical vision

I agree with Ras 100% except for horse racing track. With logistical issues I don't see how that would work, but an athletic track and the other amenities mentioned would surely go a long way to assisting the locals and visitors to Anegada alike.

I agree. Bringing horses over would probably cost more than what can be generated. Any entrance fee would not be enough to support such a big plan, but the recreational plan is a good one. I would like to see a community centre which also offers art and music classes for children. Not everyone is into sports. Catering specifically to tourists is never a good idea. They can leave and move on. People are here to stay. A golf course also has access problems unless you want the megayachts from north sound coming over for the day. Is that what they are planning on? Then you become "hospitality workers" for the elite. Ras is so right at putting people first.

Shaw, I agree with you but what is wrong with being a hospitality worker? Not much different to pushing paper in a Trust Company is it? But it's what pays our bills, mortgages, school fees etc. People in Anegada make 99% of their revenues from Hospitality services so I don't get your point there???

no disrespect meant. I was just thinking independent businesses, self-motivation and not have to deal totally and only with potentially rude and disrespectful people constantly. One of developers in North Sound is on his way to expanding and developing his boutique hotel to a resort. Jobs yes, but then character and a away of life is being lost. It is a tricky trade-off. Villas at the end of anegada are sitting on erroding coast line because of vegitation loss. If the island is a blank slate, then why not take time and do it right so the environment isn't lost, the unique flora and fauna- iguanas/ flamingos aren't diminished and things are done tastefully, not big and flashy. AND let the locals have more of a say in what they want. But Politics will weigh in big time. I agree with Ras to focus on the people, needs, infrastructure, etc. first.

How can you make that comment about a multi-purpose facility?
The brother makes lots of sense in his arguments - give the Anegadians something that they (want and) can control to determine their own destiny, socially, economically and recreationally.
Once you do that for them, then you start to look at things like golf courses.

I definitely agree with the Ras on this one. Every where in small communities around the world u can always almost certainly find a park for kids to run around and play even if it's not huge, I don't see no reason why Anegada shouldn't have these same things just like everywhere else. They have kids just like our kids and need the same opportunities as our kids. Kudos to you Ras for letting your voice be heard and I pray to the Father above that it doesn't go unheard again.

A Golf Course and a recreational center can work hand in hand. It's just for Government to be upfront with the people and sell it in the right way. People don't trust Politicians and Developers anymore because of past experiences which is why we are experiencing so much backlash when it comes to development, especially major ones that will take up lots of land and once done, cannot be reversed. We may refer to these people as backwards but we cannot blame them for being wary of pols and the wealthy. It's all about being upfront, open and getting people to understand. Forcing things will never work. I am sure if a proper plan is put forward showing how much benefits the locals can reap over there or anywhere in the VI from developments, it will be accepted by people. Government won the last election because of the support they had on the street especially with the youth. But as they got in they shove them to the side and moving forward full speed. Instead, they should be utilizing these same youth with the strength and numbers to go on an education campaign to push the things that were campaigned on and get rid of all hearsay and misconceptions when they arise. They making the same mistake as the last time they were in and they need to realize that. They're doing good, they get a 'B' so far in my book, but they cannot continue to leave the youth behind in trying to develop the BVI. We are on the street, we got the ears of the people and they want to know what's going on.

All I can do is shake my head. I am not an avid golfer but I have golfed a bit in my day. A golf course on Anegada is not a great idea for several reasons:

1. The island is subject to a LOT of wind. Golfing in high winds is not a greatly desired feature by most golfer's standards. The course would have to be "perfectly" designed to be of any interest to serious golfers. That means BIG BUCKS and the best golf course designers available.

2. Anegada is basically flat and the entire island is subject to major sea blast. The only grass that stands a chance of surviving the harsh conditions on Anegada is paspalum. Paspalum grows naturally along salt water coastlines and has been used successfully at several golf courses such as Winding Bay, Abaco and King's Crossing in Texas. The putting greens are a whole other story and MUCH more difficult to maintain.

3. Where are all these golfers going to stay on Anegada? Surely the minister doesn't think they will be interested in Anegada Reef Resort or other (similar) places! Is the minister talking about building another massive resort ... with few (desirable) transportation options to get there?

4. A very costly (and reliable) irrigation system would be required to keep the grasses alive, not to mention a highly trained greenskeeper and maintenance staff would also be required. Do we have such persons in the BVI or will we have to import them? My guess is the latter. Our people aren't even qualified to be caddies. Good caddies take years and years to train! How many (real) jobs for BV Islanders would such a place provide once the construction is done? What benefits would Anegadians reap from such a resort and Golf Club?

5. This government is always trying to reach for the stars, and there is nothing wrong with that provided the goals are attainable and make sense. Anegada is a fabulous island offering a lot of water sports based opportunities. Why isn't the government trying to grow that side of our tourism sector? Anegada "could" become "THE" international spot for kite surfing ... if it were promoted as such! A resort designed to cater to that particular crowd would be a major hit. Kite surfers are young, active people and many other things could spin off from catering to that crowd. But no, our government wants a golf course instead! WHY?

WHY can't we work with what we have? Build something that is feasible, makes sense and makes use of our natural bounty? At this time, a golf course (anywhere in the BVI) should be way down the list of priorities. Perhaps in 20 to 30 years, but not NOW!

Stop trying to be something we are not! Market our resources properly and build to suit the people our natural gifts attract! With the dollar being as precious as it is right now, it is foolish to do otherwise. MAKE USE OF WHAT WE HAVE BE GIVEN BY GOD!

"Betcha it's foreigned owned and who knows, Kingdom-er owned." So ausar, you see a local owning a golf course? LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course locals can be involved but no golf course or hotel will happen here with out some level of foreign investment and that's simple common sense. This faux nationalism bull will send you all back to eating cane and coconut and chasing it with seawater!

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